Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. During the play, payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins or indirectly in the form of credits to the player&#39;s credit account.

The present application is a Continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/001,089, entitled “GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATEPLAY SESSION AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME”, filed Nov. 2, 2001 in thename of JAY S. WALKER et al.,

which

-   -   (a) is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. application        Ser. No. 09/518,760, entitled “GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE        PLAY SESSION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME”, filed Mar. 3, 2000        in the name of JAY S. WALKER et al., now issued as U.S. Pat. No.        6,319,127 B1, which application is        -   a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.            08/880,838, entitled “GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE PLAY            SESSION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME”, filed Jun. 23, 1997            in the name of JAY S. WALKER et al., now issued as U.S. Pat.            No. 6,077,163; and    -   (b) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application        Ser. No. 60/282,792, entitled “GAMING CONTRACTS”, filed Apr. 10,        2001 in the name of JAY S. WALKER et al.

The entirety of each of the above-referenced applications isincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

Further, the present application contains a specification that is anexact copy of the specification of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/518,760and which contains none of the new matter introduced in application Ser.No. 10/001,089.

Accordingly, the present application is a Continuation application ofthe U.S. application Ser. No. 09/518,760.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the structure and operationof at least one gaming device, such as a slot machine, wherein a flatrate price purchases a flat rate play session comprising multiple plays.

2. Description of Related Art

There are numerous types of gaming devices in use today. Most of thesegaming devices, such as slot machines, video blackjack machines, videopoker machines, and the like, require the player of the device topurchase individual plays at a set cost or wager per play. Becauseplayers can only purchase individual plays, they may stop playing afterany individual play. Furthermore, having to purchase each individualplay is inconvenient. Thus, a need exists for a gaming device allowingmore convenient and efficient methods of play.

One scenario in which players seemingly purchase multiple plays on agaming device during a flat rate play session is entry fee slot machinetournaments. Such tournaments typically involve players paying a fee fora set period of play determined by the casino. During such tournaments,each player plays a specific type and denomination of machine, alsodetermined by the casino, and accumulates points rather than money.Those players accumulating the most points are awarded prizes.

Although slot machine tournaments are popular with some players, thetournaments are inflexible and not accommodating to individual player'spreferences. The organizers set the time and duration of the tournament,the cost to play, the amount wagered per play, and the type of machineswhich are played. Furthermore, the organizers must designate machinesfor the tournament. Because these machines are available only totournament players and not the general public, the machine owners loserevenue for all machines designated but not played during a tournament.Thus, a need still exists for a gaming device which allows tournamentstyle play without comprising the revenue stream of a casino,particularly where the player selects the time and duration of theperiod, the amount wagered per play, and the particular gaming deviceplayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method andapparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a gaming sessionusing a gaming device. In one embodiment, the method includesidentifying at least one price parameter, determining a flat rate pricebased upon the at least one identified price parameter, and initiating aflat rate play session of the gaming device upon receiving an indicationof payment of the flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans apre-established duration.

In one embodiment, the price parameter is a player selected priceparameter, such as the amount wagered per play, jackpot structure,length of the flat rate play session, the type of gaming device, time ofday, day of the week, and day of the year. In another embodiment, theprice parameter is an operator selected price parameter, such as playerstatus rating, availability of gaming devices, and anticipatedavailability of gaming devices.

A gaming device is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the gaming devicecomprises a player interface and a processor coupled thereto. The playerinterface is capable of receiving player input, such as a playerselected price parameter. The processor is configured to determine aflat rate price based on the player input for initiating and operatingthe gaming device during the flat rate play session.

A gaming system is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the gaming systemincludes multiple gaming devices, each having a player interface, acontroller coupled to each of the gaming devices and a processor coupledto each of the player interfaces. The player interfaces receive at leastone player selected price parameter and an indication of playerselection of a flat rate play session lasting a pre-established durationupon receipt of a flat rate payment. The controller communicates withthe gaming devices and includes a memory device in which playerinformation is stored. The processor is configured to determine the flatrate price based on the player selected price parameter. The processoris also configured to initiate the flat rate play session upon receiptof the flat rate payment.

A method of playing a gaming device is also disclosed. The methodincludes the steps of selecting to play the gaming device in an optionaltimed mode of operation for a flat rate price. The method also includesthe step of providing a player selected price parameter. The flat rateprice is based on the player selected price parameter. The methodfurther includes the steps of paying the flat rate price and initiatingoperation of the gaming device in the timed mode of play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a system according to oneembodiment of the present invention, including a slot machine and a slotnetwork server;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic view of the slot machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b is a plan view of the slot machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the slot network server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a casino player database of the server ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the flat rate database of the slot machineof FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the payout table of the slot machine ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the calculation table of the slot machineof FIG. 2;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are overall flow diagrams of the operation of thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a detailed flow diagram of the operation of the system of FIG.1;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of the process of terminating play of thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b are flow diagrams of the process of resuming play ofthe system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b are overall flow diagrams of the operation ofanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of the process of receiving a payout in theembodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the flat rate price package database ofthe slot machine of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 15 is an overall flow diagram of the operation of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in greater detail with reference to the drawings. Although theembodiments discussed herein are directed to reel slot machines, itshould be understood that the present invention is equally applicable toother gaming devices, such as video poker machines, video blackjackmachines, video roulette, video keno and the like.

The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatusfor operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session. As usedherein, flat rate play session is defined as a period of play whereinthe player need not make funds available for any play during the playsession. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays of the gamingdevice. These multiple plays are aggregated into intervals or segmentsof play. It is to be understood that the term interval as used hereincould be time, handle pulls, and any other segment in which slot machineplay could be divided. For example, two hours, one hundred spins, fiftywinning spins, etc. A player enters player identifying information andplayer selected price parameters at a gaming device. The priceparameters define the flat rate play session, describing the duration ofplay, machine denomination, jackpots active, etc. The gaming devicestores the player selected price parameters and proceeds to retrieve theflat rate price of playing the gaming device for the flat rate playsession. The player selected price parameters, in combination withoperator price parameters, determine the flat rate price. Should theplayer decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply depositsthat amount into the gaming device or makes a credit account availablefor the gaming device to debit. For example, it might cost twenty-fivedollars to play for half an hour. Once the player initiates play, thegaming device tracks the flat rate play session and stops the play whenthe session is completed, usually when a time limit has expired. Duringthe play session, the player is not required to deposit any coins.Payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins orindirectly in the form of credits to the credit balance stored in themachine. It should be understood that the player balance could be storedin a number of mediums, such as smart cards, credit card accounts, debitcards, and hotel credit accounts.

With reference to FIG. 1, a system 100 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. In general, the system 100 comprisesmultiple slot machines 102 and a slot network server 106. In the presentembodiment, each slot machine 102, which is uniquely identified by amachine identification (ID) number, communicates with the slot networkserver 106 via a slot network 104. The slot network 104 is preferably aconventional local area network controlled by the server 106. It is tobe understood, however, that other arrangements in which the slotmachines 102 communicate with the server 106 are within the scope of thepresent invention.

As will be described in greater detail below, in one embodiment, theslot machine 102 communicates player identifying information to the slotnetwork server 106. The slot network server 106, in turn, verifies theplayer identifying information. The slot machine 102 also calculates aflat rate price based on both player selected and casino determinedprice parameters and displays the flat rate price to the player. Theplayer may then accept the flat rate price and initiate play. In anotherembodiment, the present invention may be practiced without server 106,in an arrangement in which the slot machine 102 calculates the flat rateprice.

With reference to FIG. 2 a, the slot machine 102 will now be describedin greater detail. The slot machine 102 contains a Central ProcessingUnit (CPU) 210, a clock 212, and an operating system 214 (typicallystored in memory as software). The CPU 210 executes instructions of aprogram stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) 216 for playing the slotmachine 102. The Random Access Memory (RAM) 218 temporarily storesinformation passed to it by the CPU 210 during play. Also incommunication with the CPU 210 is a Random Number Generator (RNG) 220.

With respect to gaming operations, the slot machine 102 operates in aconventional manner. The player starts the machine 102 by inserting acoin into coin acceptor 248, or using electronic credit, and pressingthe starting controller 222. Under control of a program stored, forexample in a data storage device 224 or ROM 216, the CPU 210 initiatesthe RNG 220 to generate a number. The CPU 210 looks up the generatedrandom number in a stored probability table 226, which contains a listwhich matches random numbers to corresponding outcomes, and finds theappropriate outcome. Based on the identified outcome, the CPU 210locates the appropriate payout in a stored payout table 228. The CPU 210also directs a reel controller 230 to spin reels 232, 234, 236 and tostop them at a point when they display a combination of symbolscorresponding to the appropriate payout. When the player wins, themachine stores the credits in RAM 218 and displays the current balancein video display area 238. In an alternate embodiment, the slot machine102 dispenses the coins to a payout tray (not shown), and in anotherembodiment, the slot network server 106 stores the player credits.

A hopper controller 240 is connected to a hopper 242 for dispensingcoins. When the player requests to cash out by pushing a cashout button(not shown) on the slot machine 102, the CPU 210 checks the RAM 218 tosee if the player has any credit and, if so, signals the hoppercontroller 240 to release an appropriate number of coins into a payouttray (not shown). A coin acceptor 248 is also coupled to the CPU 210.Each coin received by the coin acceptor 248 is registered by the CPU210.

In alternate embodiments, the slot machine 102 does not include the reelcontroller 230 and reels 232, 234 and 236. Instead, a video display area238 graphically displays representations of objects contained in theselected game, such as graphical reels or playing cards. Theserepresentations are preferably animated to display playing of theselected game.

Also in communication with the CPU 210 is a player tracking device 260.The tracking device 260 comprises a card reader 266 for reading playeridentifying information stored on a player tracking card. As usedherein, the term player identifying information denotes any informationor compilation of information that uniquely identifies a player. In thepresent embodiment, the identifying information is a playeridentification (ID) number. Although not so limited, the player trackingcard of the present embodiment stores the player ID on a magnetic striplocated thereon. Such a magnetic strip and device to read theinformation stored on the magnetic strip are well known.

The player tracking device 260 also includes a display 262 and a playerinterface 264. The player interface 264 may include a keypad and/or atouchscreen display. In operation, as discussed below, the slot machine102 displays a message prompting the player to enter player selectedprice parameters. In the present embodiment, a player may enter theplayer selected price parameters via the player interface 264. Becausethe player interface 264 is part of the tracking device 260, it is,therefore, in communication with the CPU 210. Alternatively, input ofselected price parameters may be accomplished through video display area238 if it is configured with touch screen capabilities.

The slot machine 102 also includes a series of bet buttons 272, 274,276. The bet buttons include “Bet 1 coin” 272, “Bet 2 coins” 274, and“Bet 3 coins” 276. The bet buttons 272, 274, 276 are coupled to the CPU210. Therefore, pressing one transmits a signal to the CPU 210indicating how much a player is wagering on a given play.

The databases stored in the data storage device 224 include aprobability table 226, a calculation table 227, a payout table 228, aflat rate price package database 229, and a flat rate database 246. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, the flat rate database 246 and thecalculation table 227 store information related to the flat rate playsession and calculation of the flat rate price, respectively. The flatrate price package database 229 stores information describing differentpreestablished flat rate packages as custom designed by the casino.

Also connected to the CPU 210 is a slot network interface 250. The slotnetwork interface 250 provides a communication path from the slotmachine 102 to slot network server 106 through the slot network 104.Thus, as discussed in greater detail below, information is communicatedamong the player tracking card, player tracking device 260, slot machine102, and slot network server 106.

With reference to FIG. 2 b, the plan view of slot machine 102, will nowbe described below. FIG. 2 b depicts slot machine 102 displaying playerselected price parameter options on video display area 238. Included inthe displayed parameters is amount wagered per play 712, interval 714,duration of interval 722, and active pay combinations 720. As will bedescribed further below, after the player has selected the desired priceparameters, the slot machine 102 displays a flat rate price 724. Oncethe player has accepted the flat rate price and made the appropriatefunds available, play may commence.

The slot network server 106 will now be described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 3. Like the slot machine 102 of FIG. 2, the slotnetwork server 106 has a Central Processing Unit. (CPU) 310. The CPU310, which has a clock 312 associated therewith, executes instructionsof a program stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) 320. During execution ofthe program instructions, the CPU 310 temporarily stores information inthe Random Access Memory (RAM) 330.

Additionally, the CPU 310 is coupled to a data storage device 340,having a flat rate database 246, transaction processor 342 and a casinoplayer database 344. In general, the transaction processor 342 managesthe contents of the data storage devices 340. As discussed in detailbelow, the casino player database 344 stores information specific toeach player, including player identifying information.

In order to communicate with the slot machines 102, the slot networkserver 106 also includes a communication port 350. The communicationport 350 is coupled to the CPU 310 and a slot machine interface 360.Thus, the CPU 310 can control the communication port 350 to receiveinformation from the data storage device 340 and RAM 330 and transmitthe information to the slot machines 102 and vice versa.

It is to be understood that because the slot machines 102 are incommunication with the slot network server 106, information stored in aslot machine 102 may be stored in the server 106 and vice versa. Thus,for example, in an alternate embodiment, the server 106 rather than theslot machine 102 includes the payout table 228, flat rate database 246,and/or calculation table 227.

The casino player database 344 of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, includes multiple records having multiple fields of information.Specifically, the casino player database 344 comprises multiple records,each record being associated with a particular player, as identified bya player identification (ID) number. The fields within each recordinclude: player identification (ID) number 410, social security number412, name 414, address 416, telephone number 418, credit card number420, credit balance 422, complimentary information, such as totalaccumulated complimentary points 424, whether the player is a hotelguest 426, player status rating 428, and value of interval remaining430. Having information related to one field, such as player ID 410,allows the slot network server 106 to retrieve all information stored incorresponding fields of that player record.

It is to be understood that not all of these identifying fields arenecessary for operation of the present embodiment. For example, the name414, social security number 412, address 416, telephone number 418,credit card number 420, and hotel guest 426 fields are merelyrepresentative of additional information that may be stored and used forother purposes. In one embodiment, credit card number 420 and hotelguest 426 are used for billing purposes and social security number 412is used to generate tax forms when a player wins a jackpot over a givenamount.

Complimentary points awarded 424 is further illustrative of additionalinformation a casino may store in a player's record. As described below,a player's complimentary points are displayed to the player when aplayer tracking card is inserted into the slot machine 102. In analternate embodiment, such points may be used in addition, or as analternative to the credit balance 422 stored in RAM 218 of slot machine102.

The player status rating 428 contains information representative of theparticular player relative importance to the casino, as based upon thefrequency and duration of the player's visits, the amount of moneywagered, and the like.

The value of interval remaining field 430 stores the value of intervalremaining in a flat rate play session when a player terminates the playsession prior to its expiration. This field will be described in greaterdetail below.

The flat rate database 246 will now be described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 5. The flat rate database 246 comprises multiplerecords, each record pertaining to the flat rate play session of aparticular player, as identified by that player's ID number.Consequently, one field in flat rate database 246 is the player IDnumber field 510. Other fields include: player selected price parameters512, flat rate price 514, interval remaining 516, time audit data 518,and machine identification (ID) number field 520. The machine ID numberfield 520 contains the machine ID number that uniquely identifies theslot machine 102. It is to be understood that since both the casinoplayer database 244 and the flat rate database 246 include a player IDfield, 410 and 510, respectively, the system 100 can correlate anyplayer information stored in the casino player database 344, with anyplayer information stored in the flat rate database 246.

The payout table 228 will now be described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the payout table 228 of thepresent embodiment can be logically represented by five fields ofrelated information. The first field, a pay combination field 610,identifies the set of possible pay combinations for a given slot machine102. Such possible pay combinations include winning pay combinations, orthose in which a payout results, and non-winning pay combinations, inwhich the player receives no payout and consequently loses the amountwagered. Winning pay combinations include, for example, “DOUBLEJACKPOT-DOUBLE JACKPOT-DOUBLE JACKPOT” and “BAR-BAR-BAR.” The paycombinations field 610 also includes a “NON-WINNING OUTCOMES” record, anentry representing the outcomes which result in no payout to the player,such as “PLUM-BELL-ORANGE.ö

The payout table 228 also includes three payout fields 620, 630, 640.Such payout fields 620, 630, 640 contain the payout information for eachof the possible pay combinations identified in the pay combinationsfield 610. Each of the payout fields 620, 630, 640 is identified by thenumber of coins wagered on a particular play, as selected via the betbuttons 272, 274, 276. In the present embodiment, payout table 228contains a “1 coin” payout field 620, which is accessed when one coin iswagered, a “2 coins” payout field 630, which is accessed when two coinsare wagered, and a “3 coins” payout field 640, which is accessed whenthree coins are wagered. In other words, each field 620, 630, 640corresponds to a bet button 272, 274, 276, respectively. The payoutinformation provides the number of coins won upon the occurrence of aparticular pay combination. Thus, ôCHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRYö pays out tencoins when one coin is wagered.

Finally, the payout table 228 of the present embodiment includes a paycombination status field 650. The pay combination status field 650includes an indication for each winning pay combination, identified inthe pay combination field 610, of whether the player is eligible to winthe payout for each outcome. As will be described below, thedetermination of whether a player is eligible to win a payout for agiven outcome is made by the player as part of the player selected priceparameters.

The calculation table 227 will now be described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 7. The calculation table 227 is used by the system 100in determining the flat rate prices 724 (field 514 in the flat ratedatabase 246) charged to the player. Specifically, the calculation table227 contains multiple price parameters which are correlated to a flatrate price 724. More specifically, these price parameters include playerselected price parameters and operator selected price parameters. Ingeneral, player selected price parameters include any game relatedvariable that defines the flat rate play session. Furthermore, operatorselected price parameters are parameters which the operator of the slotmachines 102 selects as affecting the flat rate price 724. Thus, in thepresent embodiment, the player selected price parameters in thecalculation table 227 include machine type 710, amount wagered per play712, active pay combinations 720, and length of the flat rate playsession 722. The operator selected price parameters in the calculationtable 227 include player status rating 714, time of day 716, day of theweek 718, and machine usage 719. In the present embodiment the flat rateprice 724 is predetermined based upon the aforementioned priceparameters and stored in the calculation table 227, as will be describedlater in FIGS. 14 and 15. In an alternate embodiment the flat rate price724 is calculated based upon these parameters as needed according to aprice algorithm stored in memory. For example, the price algorithm mayoperate as follows:

Algorithm for Calculating a Flat Rate Price

The first step is to determine a “base” flat rate price. This would becalculated as follows:Price=(amount wagered)×(interval)×(expected coins awarded for all activepay combinations/amount wagered per play×cycle)

For example, the following base calculation represents a playerselecting three dollar coins per handle pull, an interval of 500 handlepulls, top three pay combinations active:Base Price=($3)×(500)×(2,160/10,648)=$304.28

Further, this base flat rate price is adjusted by operator priceparameters such as the following:

1. Time of Day (TD)

Times of the day in which the casino traffic tends to be heavy shouldresult in the player paying a premium for the flat rate session, whilequiet times in the casino should offer the player a discount over normalrates.

Midnight to 4am  70% 4am to 8am  80% 8am to 12pm  90% 12pm to 4pm 100%4pm to 8pm 120% 8pm to Midnight 140%2. Day of Week (DW)

With the heaviest volume of visitors falling on Fridays and Saturdays,these days will necessitate higher flat rate session costs.

Mon to Thur  80% Friday 120%

Saturday 140% Sunday 100%3. Player Status Rating (PSR)

For top customers such as high rollers, the cost of a flat rate sessionmay be reduced as a customer retention tool.

1 (High Roller)  80% 2 (Good customer)  90% 3 (Average) 100% 4 (Low)120%4. Slot Machine Usage (SMU)

When the majority of slot machines in the casino are being used, apremium is applied to the cost of the flat rate play session in order tomore evenly distribute play.

Heavy 120% Moderate 100% Light  80%Sample Calculation.

In addition to the above player selected price parameters, the followingoperator selected parameters are incorporated into the price:

The player is in the casino at 2 am on a Wednesday, there is low slotmachine usage, and the player has an average rating. The calculationsbelow reflect these conditions:

$\begin{matrix}{{Base} = {{\$ 304}{.28}}} \\{{{Final}\mspace{14mu}{flat}\mspace{14mu}{rate}\mspace{14mu}{price}} = {{Base} \times {TD} \times {DW} \times {PSR} \times \;{SMU}}} \\{= {{\$ 304}{.28} \times 70\% \times 80\% \times 100\% \times 80\%}} \\{= {{\$ 304}{.28} \times 44.8\%}} \\{= {{\$ 136}{.32}}}\end{matrix}$The casino may round up this price to $137 to avoid the need for smallchange.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the ultimate goal ofslot machine players is to hit a jackpot payout. The enjoyment of theplay, as well as the ability to maximize the chance of hitting a largejackpot, is increased by more play. Play can be increased both byplaying longer, and by playing faster. As will be appreciated from aconsideration of the process described below, the present inventionpermits both increased duration, by providing for play at discountedprices, and speed of play, by providing for minimal time delays betweenplays.

The flat rate price package database 229 will now be described ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 14. The flat rate price packagedatabase 229 is used by the system 100 in providing the player withdifferent price package options for flat rate play of the slot machine100. Specifically, the flat rate price package database 229 containsmultiple combinations, or packages 1410, of price parameters whichcorrespond to pre-established flat rate prices. More specifically, theseprice parameters include but are not limited to, interval 1412, durationof flat rate play 1414, amount wagered per play 1416, and paycombination status 1418. Each combination of price parameters hascorresponding flat rate play session prices 1420. As will be describedlater in FIG. 15, the flat rate price package database 229 is accessedwhen the player determines he wishes to initiate a flat rate playsession. Rather than let the player choose the price parameters, theslot machine 100 lists the different packages stored in the flat rateprice package database 229. The player then chooses the package he likesthe most and play commences.

Having thus described the components of the present embodiment, theoperation of the system 100 will now be described in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 8–11, and continuing reference to FIGS. 1–7. It is tobe understood that the programs stored in ROM 320 of the slot networkserver 106 and ROM 216 of the slot machine 102 provide the functiondescribed below.

Turning first to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, the general operation of the system100 will be described. As shown in step 810, the slot machine playerfirst inserts the player tracking card into the card reader 266. Thecard reader 266 then proceeds to read player identifying informationfrom the tracking card. The player identifying information, namely theplayer ID number, is communicated from the slot machine 102 to the slotserver 106 in step 812.

Upon receiving the player identifying information, the slot networkserver 106 verifies the information in step 814. Such verificationincludes the slot network server 106 searching the casino playerdatabase 344 for a record containing the received player ID number inthe appropriate field 410. Once the slot network server 106 verifies theplayer identifying information, the server 106 transmits a signal to theslot machine 102 acknowledging such verification in step 816. Inalternate embodiments, other information, such as the player's name 414,complimentary point total 424, and player status rating 428 aretransmitted to the slot machine 102 for display.

In step 818, the player selects flat rate play via the player interface264. The CPU 210 of slot machine 102, in step 820, then receives asignal from the player interface 264, indicating that the player hasselected flat rate play. For example, there could be a buttonspecifically for triggering a flat rate play session. The CPU 210, inresponse, accesses memory to retrieve player selectable priceparameters. Player selectable price parameters are the choices availableto a player for entering the player selected price parameters. Theseplayer selectable price parameters are controlled by a program stored inROM 216. Such player selectable price parameters, in the presentembodiment, include the amount wagered per play, (e.g. one, two, orthree coins), the length of the flat rate play session, and possiblejackpot structures, such as having only the “DOUBLE JACKPOT” and “5 BAR”jackpots active (as illustrated in the payout table 228 of FIG. 6). Inan alternate embodiment, the player selectable price parameters arestored as part of the calculation table 227.

Then, as shown in step 822, the slot machine 102 displays the playerselectable price parameters to the player. For example, the parameterscould be listed on the video display area 238 for the player, asdescribed previously in FIG. 2 b. Once the parameters appear, the playersimply selects his desired settings. Alternatively, the player mayaccept one or more default settings. Once the player selectable priceparameters are displayed on the display 238, the player proceeds, instep 824, to enter player selected price parameters via the playerinterface 264. The player selected price parameters also include datawhich, although not directly inputted by the player, is selected by theplayer and identified by the slot machine 102. In the presentembodiment, such additional player selected price parameters includetype of machine, time of day, and day of the week.

It is to be understood that the casino operator of the slot machines 102may define the scope of the player selectable price parameters, andtherefore limit the player selected price parameters in any manner. Forexample, the length of flat rate play may be limited to periods above aminimum time or to periods that are multiples of thirty minuteintervals. The jackpot structure may require that some jackpots remainactive.

Referring now to FIG. 8 b, the slot machine 102 CPU 210 receives theplayer selected price parameters in step 826. Having received the playerselected parameters, the CPU 210 then stores the player selected priceparameters, the player identifying information, and the slot machine'smachine ID number in a record in the flat rate database 246.Specifically, the player ID number is stored in field 510, the machineID number is stored in field 520, and the player selected priceparameters are stored in field 512. Although the player selected priceparameters are illustrated as being stored in a single field (512), itis to be understood that each player selected price parameter may bestored in a separate field. It is also to be understood that inalternate embodiments the player selected price parameters need not bestored in a database, but could be stored in RAM 218.

The slot machine 102 CPU 210 uses the player selected price parametersto determine the flat rate prices. Specifically, in step 828, the CPU210 accesses the calculation table 227 and searches for the flat rateprice 724 corresponding to the received player selected price parameters512, which, in the present embodiment, include machine type 710, amountwagered per play 712, time of day 716, day of the week 718, activejackpots 720, and the length of the flat rate play session 722. The CPU210 also incorporates operator selected price parameters for the flatrate price 724 such as player status rating 714 and machine availability719. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the player statusrating 714 is received from the casino player database 344 at any timeprior to determination of the flat rate price 724. Thus, in a preferredembodiment, the slot network server 106 transmits the player statusrating 428 to the slot machine 102 along with the verification signal instep 816.

By including the player status rating 714 in the calculation table 277,a casino may reward frequent players who wager relatively large amountsof money with a lower flat rate price 724. Thus, the system 100 rewardsand encourages frequent play. By including active jackpots 720 in thecalculation table 348, the system 100 allows a casino to discount theflat rate price 724 for those players who choose to enable relativelyfew winning outcomes in the payout table 228. Furthermore, by includingthe price parameters relating to time of day and day of the week in thecalculation table 227, a casino may charge a lower flat rate price 724for sessions during weekday afternoons or between 2:00 a.m. and 8:00a.m. in the mornings, thereby encouraging play of the slot machines 102when they are typically idle.

It is to be understood that the aforementioned price parameters in thecalculation table 227 are merely representative of the type of variablesthat may be considered in determining a flat rate price. Thus, it iswithin the scope of the present invention to include only some of theprice parameters, all of the parameters, or additional parameters in thecalculation table 227.

As mentioned above, the flat rate price may be based partly upon theavailability of slot machines 102. In such an embodiment, the server 106tracks whether each slot machine 102 is being used by noting whetheroutcomes are currently being received from a given slot machine 102. Inanother embodiment, the server 106 tracks slot machine availability bytabulating the number of slot machines 102 for which flat rate play iscurrently enabled. In yet another embodiment, the server 106 tracks slotmachine availability by identifying how many slot machines 102 have aplayer tracking card inserted therein.

Another price parameter which may be used is predicted or forecastedslot machine availability. Specifically, such a parameter accounts foranticipated availability of slot machines 102 based upon events at thecasino. For example, the calculation table 227 correlates a lower flatrate price 724 to the time of day 716 corresponding to an event, such asa show which many casino players attend. On the other hand, thecalculation table 227 correlates a higher flat rate price to the time ofday 716 corresponding to the end of the event or heavier casino traffic.This enables a casino to effectively revenue manage their slot machineswithout resorting to a change in hold percentage which requiresregulatory approval.

It is to be understood that accounting for slot machine availabilityneed not be accomplished in the calculation table 227. Rather, in analternate embodiment, a schedule of events is stored in RAM 218 which isaccessed prior to transmitting the flat rate price 724 to the player. Ifthe event schedule indicates that an event is ending during therequested flat rate play session, then the flat rate price 724 will beincremented accordingly.

In another embodiment, the flat rate price is based only on operatorselected price parameters. A slot machine 102 according to such anembodiment could, for example, provide discounted flat rate playsessions based on player status rating, thereby offering 100 plays forthe price of 90 or discounted timed sessions. To encourage repeat, highstakes play, higher player status ratings result in greater discounts.

Having determined the flat rate price 724, the slot machine 102, in step830, displays the duration of the flat rate play session 722 and theflat rate price 724 and requests approval from the player. Once theplayer accepts the terms of the flat rate play session, flat rate playcommences.

If the player does not approve the flat rate price 724, then the playerindicates so via the player interface 264. As indicated by path A inFIGS. 8 a and 8 b, the slot machine 102 repeats its operation from step822. On the other hand, if the player approves the flat rate price 724,the player indicates such approval via the player interface 264 in step832. Following such approval, the slot machine 102 prompts the player toenter an appropriate amount of money in step 834. In the presentembodiment, the player deposits coins into the coin acceptor 248. In oneembodiment, the player deposits a casino token as payment for the flatrate session. Such tokens may be denominated in dollars, or represent anumber of handle pulls. A casino could thus sell a fifty handle pulltoken, usable on a particular denomination and/or type of machine. Sucha token may additionally serve to activate the flat rate session,eliminating the need for the player to select flat rate play via playerinterface 264. Alternatively, the player's credit balance 422 may bedebited to pay for the flat rate play session.

Once the CPU 210 registers the receipt of money, the CPU 210reconfigures the slot machine 201 for the flat rate play session in step836. Specifically, the CPU 210 generates a signal, or a flag in memory,indicating that there is no need to accept the coins between plays. CPU210 further sets the active field 650 in the payout table 228 accordingto the jackpot structure entered by the player.

The operation of the slot machine 102 during the flat rate play sessionwill now be described with reference to FIG. 9 and continuing referenceto FIGS. 1–7. During the flat rate play session, a slot machine 102operates generally as described above with reference to FIG. 2. However,the slot machine 102 is reconfigured to operate according to the playerselected price parameters, if such parameters affect play, and tooperate continuously, without requiring payment between each play.Specifically, the flat rate play session begins when the player pressesthe starting controller 222 in step 910. The CPU 210 also initiates acountdown of the length of the flat rate play session as stored in theplayer selected parameters field 512 of the flat rate database 246. Withthe start of the session, the CPU 210 stores the start time of the flatrate play session in the flat rate database 246. Specifically, the starttime is stored in the time audit data field 520 in step 912. In step914, the CPU 210 begins to count down the duration of the flat rate playsession. Next, in step 916, the slot machine 102 generates an outcomeand accesses payout table 228 to determine the appropriate correspondingnumber of coins to be paid out.

Furthermore, in step 918, after each outcome is generated, the slotmachine 102 determines whether the countdown of the interval remaining516 has reached zero. It is to be understood that the countdown may beimplemented in either software or hardware. Additionally, it isunderstood that the countdown process discussed herein may be replacedwith any suitable means for tracking the duration of the flat rate playsession. Interval remaining 516 may also represent the number of handlepulls remaining.

In the event that the countdown has not reached zero, the player pressesthe starting controller 222 in step 920, thereby initiating another playof the slot machine 102. In the event that the countdown has reachedzero, the CPU 210 generates a signal indicating that the flat rate playsession has concluded. The slot machine 102 displays a messageindicating this to the player and, in step 922, stores the end time ofthe session in the time audit data field 518 of the flat rate database.

In an alternate embodiment, the player selected price parameters includethe “time between plays.” In this embodiment, the CPU 210 of slotmachine 102 controls the time between generating outcomes of successiveplays in the slot machine 102 to equal the received “time between plays”player selected price parameter. In another alternate embodiment, theslot machine 102 tracks the number of plays during the flat rate playsession. If the number of plays exceeds a predetermined limit, the slotmachine 102 automatically terminates the flat rate play session,regardless of the duration of the flat rate play session.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the operation of the system 100 when the playerterminates the flat rate play session prior to the expiration of thesession will be described. In step 1010, the player indicates a desireto terminate the flat rate play session via the player interface 264.Consequently, the slot machine 102 CPU 210 receives a termination signaland, in step 1012, displays a message to the player, asking the playerto verify termination of the flat rate play session. If the player doesnot verify termination, then the session continues as described abovewith reference to FIG. 9. On the other hand, if the player verifiestermination, shown as step 1014, the CPU 210 proceeds to store the stoptime in the time audit data field 518 of the flat rate database 246 instep 1016.

It is to be understood that having both the start time and the stop timeof the flat rate play sessions stored in the flat rate database 246allows the casino to perform an audit of the session. Specifically,should a player allege that the flat rate play session was shorter thanthat which was paid for, the casino may access the flat rate database246 and retrieve the actual start and stop time from the time audit datafield 520. In the present embodiment, this time includes an indicationof the day, hour, and minute of the play session.

Next, in step 1018, CPU 210 determines the value of the intervalremaining in the flat rate play session and transmits the value to theserver 106. In order to determine the value of the interval remaining,the CPU 210 accesses the calculation table 227. The value of intervalremaining will equal the flat rate price 724 corresponding to the priceparameters (i.e., the machine type 710, amount wagered per play 712,player status rating 714, time of day 716, etc.) used to determine theoriginal flat rate price charged to the player. When determining thevalue of the interval remaining, however, the value in the length offlat rate play session field 722 is not the original length of thesession, but rather is equal to the actual interval remaining in theflat rate play session. Stated succinctly, the slot machine 102identifies the flat rate price 724 corresponding to the actual intervalremaining in the flat rate play session.

Once the value of interval remaining is determined, the slot machine 102transmits the Value to the slot network server 106. Upon receiving thevalue of interval remaining, the server 106 stores the value in field430 of the casino player database 344 in the player's record, asidentified by the player ID number 410. Storing the value is shown asstep 1020. Finally, in step 1022, the player removes the player trackingcard.

The process of resuming play at another slot machine 102 will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 11 a and 11 b. The initial operationof the system 100, as indicated by steps 1110–1128, proceeds generallyas described above with reference to steps 810–828 of FIGS. 8 a and 8 b.

However, once the CPU 210 of slot machine 102 determines a new flat rateprice based on the relevant price parameters, the CPU 210 determineswhether the player must deposit additional funds.

Specifically, in step 1130, the CPU 210 compares the new flat rate price724 with the value of interval remaining 430. The server 106 transmitsthe value of interval remaining 430, as stored in the casino playerdatabase 344, to the slot machine 102 in Step 1116 so that thecomparison may be performed. As indicated by step 1132, the comparisoninvolves determining whether the new flat rate price 724 is higher thanthe value of interval remaining 430.

If the new price 724 is not higher than the value of interval remaining430, then, in step 1134, the slot machine allows the player to play theflat rate session at no cost. However, if the new flat rate price 724 ishigher than the value of interval remaining 430, then, in step 1136, theCPU 210 assigns the difference in the two values as the new flat rateprice. Thus, in step 1138, the CPU 210 displays the new flat rate priceon the video display area 238 of the slot machine 102. Thereafter,operation of the system continues as described above with reference tosteps 832–836 of FIG. 8 b.

In an alternate embodiment, when a player terminates the flat ratesession early, the value of the interval remaining is added to theplayer's credit balance, as stored in field 422 of the casino playerdatabase 344.

It is to be understood that an embodiment of the present invention neednot include both a slot machine and slot network server. For example, anembodiment employing only a slot machine 102 is within the scope of thepresent invention. Such an embodiment will now be described withreference to FIGS. 12 a, 12 b, and 13, and continuing reference to FIGS.2, 5, and 7. Such an embodiment utilizes the slot machine 102 of FIG. 2.

Initially, the player selects flat rate play on the slot machine 102 instep 1210. Once the player selects flat rate play, the flat rate playsignal is transmitted from the player interface 264 to the CPU 210 instep 1212. The CPU 210 then proceeds, in step 1214, to retrieve theplayer options for selectable price parameters. Then, in step 1216, theCPU 210 transmits the player selectable price parameter options to thevideo display area 238 for viewing.

Once the player selectable price parameter options have been displayedto the player, the player inputs the player selected price parametersthrough the player interface 264. Then, in step 1220, the CPU 210receives the player selected price parameters from the player interface264.

Once the CPU 210 receives the player selected price parameters, the CPU210 reconfigures the slot machine 102. Specifically, the CPU 210generates a signal, or a flag in memory, indicating that there is noneed to accept the coins between plays. CPU 210 further sets the paycombination status field 650 in the payout table 228 according to thejackpot structure entered by the player. In an alternate embodiment inwhich the player selectable price parameters include the time betweenthe handle pulls, the CPU 210 sets an internal timer.

Furthermore, once the slot machine 102 CPU 210 receives the playerselected price parameters, it proceeds to access the calculation table227. By accessing the calculation table 227, the CPU 210 retrieves theflat rate price for the flat rate play session. Retrieving the flat rateprice is shown as step 1224. Once the CPU 210 retrieves the flat rateprice, it proceeds to transmit the price, the length of the flat rateplay session, and payment instructions to the video display area 238 forplayer viewing in step 1226.

In step 1228, the player reads the data and instructions on the videodisplay area 238 and inserts money into the coin acceptor 248 or a billacceptor (not shown) in order to initiate play of the slot machine 102.In an alternate embodiment, the player enters a stored value card suchas a “smart card” into the card reader 266. Such a smart card has theplayers credit balance stored thereon. Payment using a smart cardfurther entails the CPU 210 debiting the player's balance on the smartcard by the amount of the flat rate price. Further, the player may entera credit card into the card reader 266.

In step 1230, the CPU 210 generates a confirmed payment messageindicating that the player has deposited sufficient funds to cover theflat rate price. Consequently, the CPU 210, in step 1232, sends thecurrent time to both the video display area 238 and the time audit field518 of flat rate database 246. Next, in step 1234, the CPU 210 initiatesthe countdown of the interval remaining in the flat rate play session asstored in field 516. The length of the flat rate play session receivedfrom the player is initially stored in field 516. The slot machine 102decrements, or counts down, this value as the flat rate play sessionbegins.

As shown in step 1236, the flat rate play session continues inaccordance with the player selected price parameters, if such parametersaffect play, in step 1236. During such play, the CPU 210 stores andupdates the player's accumulated credits in RAM 218. In an alternateembodiment, the slot machine pays out jackpots as they occur. Finally,in step 1238, the CPU 210 terminates the flat rate play session when thecountdown ends.

In an alternate embodiment, the interval of the flat rate play sessionis not a time period, but rather is a maximum number of plays. In suchan embodiment, the slot machine 102 stores the number of plays in theflat rate database 246, as described previously in FIG. 9, and, in step916, increments a counter for each outcome generated. The counter may beimplemented in either software or hardware. Furthermore, in step 918,the slot machine 102 compares the number of plays stored in the flatrate database 246 to the value of the counter. If the value of thecounter equals the stored number of plays, then the flat rate playsession is terminated.

Turning now to FIG. 13, the process of receiving a payout from thepresent embodiment will be described. As shown as step 1310, the flatrate play session ends upon the termination of the countdown.Specifically, as shown in step 1312, the slot machine 102 CPU 210terminates the flat rate play session by reconfiguring the slot machine102 to its default values. For example, the CPU 210 resets the paycombination status field 650 in the payout table 228 to reflect theoriginal jackpot structure. The CPU 210 also generates a signalindicating that coins must be received for each play. In short, theplayer selected price parameters are no longer in effect.

In step 1314, the CPU 210 checks the total credits accumulated, asstored in the RAM 218, and transmits a payout command to the hoppercontroller 240. Consequently, in step 1316, the slot machine 102 paysout the total number of credits to the player.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 15. The operation of slot machine 100, asindicated by steps 1510–1524 below, proceeds generally as described withreference to FIG. 14 in this embodiment, the player selects from a listof casino determined price packages, rather than choosing individualprice parameters. Each price package, as stored in the flat rate pricepackage database 229 described above, is a combination of differentprice parameters which correspond to a flat rate play session price.

In step 1510, the player presses a ôflat rate playö button on the slotmachine 100. The slot machine 102 CPU 210 receives flat rate play signalfrom the player interface 264 in step 1512. In this case, the playerinterface is an actual ôflat rate playö button located on the outside ofthe slot machine 100. Next, in step 1514, the CPU 210 access flat rateprice package database 229 from data storage device 224. The CPU 210then displays the player selectable price packages on video display area238 in step 1516. It is to be understood that the CPU 210 need notdisplay the packages on the video display area 238, as those packageoptions could be displayed elsewhere on the body of the slot machine100. Alternatively, player interface 264 could incorporate several ôflatrate playö buttons, each representing a different flat rate pricepackage.

Next, in step 1518, the player selects the desired price package via theplayer interface 264. Having already seen what the price of the selectedpackage is, the player then deposits the appropriate amount of moneyinto coin acceptor 248 in step 1520. For example, the player may havechosen price package four which costs fifty dollars. In return for fiftydollars deposited into the slot machine, the player receives two hundredand fifty handle pulls, with three coins wagered per pull, with the topthree jackpots active in his flat rate play session. These parametersare specified in the flat rate price package database 229.

In step 1522, the CPU 210 receives an indication of payment from thecoin acceptor 248 and reconfigures the parameters of slot machine 100 tomeet the specifications of the flat rate price package selected by theplayer. Finally, in step 1524, flat rate play begins.

It is noted that the flat rate price package database 229 could belocated at the slot network server 106 and not at each individual slotmachine 100. When it is located at the server, certain casino oroperator selected parameters could be used to determine the price. Forexample, there could be different flat rate price packages for differenttimes during the day which are based on projected or actual casinotraffic and/or slot machine usage.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the key stepin getting players to wager money on gaming devices, such as slotmachines, is to bring the players to the casino floor. One way in whichcasinos can bring additional players to the casino floor, and therebyincrease total revenues, is by giving away free samples or rewards witha minimum displacement of traditional pay-per-play players. The presentinvention may be employed for such a purpose.

In one embodiment, for example, the casino could declare a free-playperiod. During the free-play period, likely chosen by the casino tocorrespond to down time, when most gaming devices are idle, playersinsert their player tracking cards into the gaming devices and initiateplay without being charged. Specifically, the casino programs thecalculation table 227 so that the flat rate price 724 is zero for agiven time of day 716 and day of the week 718. It is anticipated thatduring such a free-play period, the casino will alter the jackpotstructure, causing only a selected jackpot to be active. Thus, the lureof free jackpots will bring additional players to the casino floor whowill likely continue playing after the free-play period ends. A furtherbenefit of this embodiment is that it would incent players to becomeslot club members. This would result in an increase of players whoreturn to the casino and the customer base which the casino markets tothrough mailings.

It is also to be understood that play of the slot machines during thefree-play period need not occur as described above. Thus, in analternate embodiment, the reels 232, 234, 236 of the slot machines 102continuously spin, regardless of whether a player has inserted atracking card, with the server 106 periodically signalling a jackpot ona random machine. Only when a player has inserted a player tracking cardis the jackpot awarded. The server 106 randomly selects a machine IDnumber and, if the machine 102 is not being played by a pay-per-playplayer, the server 106 transmits a signal to that slot machine 102directing it to produce a winning outcome.

In an alternate embodiment that achieves substantially the same resultof attracting additional players to the floor during down times, thecasino issues guests a player tracking card or a smart card having apredetermined free credit balance associated therewith. The casino couldthen restrict the day and time in which the players could use the freecard in a flat rate play session. In another embodiment, the cardsprovided to guests contain an indication of time, rather than money, foruse during a flat rate play session.

Although the foregoing embodiments employ static jackpot structure,which stay the same throughout the flat rate play session, it is withinthe scope of the present invention to employ dynamic jackpot structures,which change during the flat rate play session. In one such embodiment,the dynamic jackpot structure starts with a given number of activejackpots, as indicated in the pay combination status field 650 of thepayout table 228. As the flat rate play session progresses, the numberof active jackpots changes. Specifically, as the interval remaining inthe flat rate play session decreases, fewer pay combinations are madeactive. In other words, the slot machine 102 CPU 210 monitors the timeand, every fifteen minutes, for example, causes the pay combinationstatus field 650 to change from ôactiveö to ôinactiveö for a given paycombination 610. Alternatively, the CPU 210 changes the pay combinationstatus field 650 after a predetermined number of plays.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a dynamic jackpotstructure based on the time progression of the flat rate play sessioncan increase the revenue generated by the slot machines 102.Specifically, such a dynamic jackpot structure could be used with a flatrate play session whose duration is not a fixed time, but rather a givennumber of plays. Because fewer jackpots will be active as timeprogresses, players have an incentive to use their fixed number of playswithin a short time period. Stated succinctly, the present inventionincreases speed of play.

In another embodiment, the jackpot structure is dynamic based not on theprogression of the flat rate play session, but rather on the outcomesgenerated by the slot machine 102. One such embodiment involves changinga particular jackpot from ôactiveö to ôinactiveö upon a player hittingthe outcome corresponding to that pay combination. For example, a playermay begin the flat rate play session with all jackpots active. On oneplay, the slot machine 102 generates a “CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY” outcome610. Upon accessing the payout table 228, the CPU 210 determines thatten coins are to be paid out, credits the player's accumulated creditsaccordingly, and causes the pay combination status field 650corresponding to the “CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY” outcome 610 to change fromôactiveö to ôinactiveö. Thus, a player can only hit a given jackpotonce. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such a dynamicjackpot structure will allow slot machine operators to further discountthe flat rate price to attract additional players. Furthermore, it isanticipated that players will be willing to forego hitting the samejackpot multiple times because their focus is typically on hitting thehighest jackpot once.

These and other dynamic jackpot structures may be implemented as eithera player selected price parameter or an operator selected priceparameter. When implemented as a player selected price parameter, thedynamic jackpot structure is displayed to the player as a playerselectable price parameter option. The player, in turn, selects it viathe player interface 264. When implemented as an operator selected priceparameter, the dynamic jackpot structure is displayed for player viewingprior to player approval of the flat rate price. Whether the priceparameters are selected by the player or the casino operator, thedynamic jackpot structure affects the flat rate price generally asdescribed above, namely, as a field in the calculation table 227 or as avariable in the price algorithm.

Although the foregoing preferred embodiments employ slot machines, it iswithin the scope of the present invention to employ other types ofgaming devices, such as video poker machines, video roulette machines,and the like. For example, in an embodiment using a video poker machine,the player selected price parameters include identifying only specificcard hands, such as a royal flush, as active in the jackpot structure.

Thus, while the present invention has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those ofskill in the art are also intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intendedto be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

1. A method of conducting a flat rate play session at a gaming device,comprising: receiving, at a gaming device, a payment for a single play;initiating, in response to the payment, the single play; initiating, atthe gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate playsession is a period of play of the gaming device during which a playerneed not make funds available for any play, the period encompassing aplurality of plays; determining, via a processor, a beginning time forthe flat rate play session; determining an end time for the flat rateplay session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, therebydetermining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that theduration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfiedat around a first time and the duration is a second duration if thepredetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; andstopping the flat rate play session upon determining the end time. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein determining an end time for the flat rateplay session comprises determining that a predetermined number of playshave occurred.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the duration is a firstduration if a first period of time elapses from the beginning timebefore the predetermined number of plays have occurred, and the durationis a second duration if a second period of time elapses from thebeginning time before the predetermined number of plays have occurred.4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an end time for the flatrate play session comprises determining that a predetermined number ofwinning plays have occurred.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theduration is a first duration if a first period of time elapses from thebeginning time before the predetermined number of winning plays haveoccurred, and the duration is a second duration if a second period oftime elapses from the beginning time before the predetermined number ofwinning plays have occurred.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereininitiating a flat rate play session comprises: determining that theplayer has selected a flat rate play feature of the gaming device, andinitiating the flat rate play session in response to the player'sselection.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining that the playerhas selected the flat rate play feature comprises: determining that theplayer has pressed a button corresponding to flat rate play sessionfeature, the button being a button on the gaming device.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein initiating a flat rate play session comprises:determining which of a plurality of flat rate price packages a playerhas purchased, the flat rate price package defining one or moreparameters of the flat rate play session, and initiating a flat rateplay session in accordance with the one or more parameters.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining an end time comprises:determining that the predetermined condition has occurred; and settingthe end time based on the satisfaction of the predetermined condition.10. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating a flat rate play sessioncomprises: configuring the gaming device to allow, during the flat rateplay session, initiation of plays without requiring payment between theplays.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein initiating the flat rate playsession further comprises: setting a maximum time that is allowed toelapse, during the flat rate play session, between plays.
 12. The methodof claim 1, wherein determining a beginning time of the flat rate playsession comprises: storing the beginning time of the flat rate playsession in memory.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein stopping the flatrate play session comprises: outputting to the player a messageindicating that the flat rate play session has ended.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein stopping the flat rate play session comprises:configuring the gaming device to require payment between plays.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: controlling, during the flat rateplay session, a time between plays.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: extending the flat rate play session beyond the end time.17. A device, comprising: a processor; and a storage device incommunication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to beexecuted by said processor to: receive, at a gaming device, a paymentfor a single play; initiate, in response to the payment, the singleplay; initiate, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session, whereinthe flat rate play session is a period of play of the gaming deviceduring which a player need not make funds available for any play, theperiod encompassing a plurality of plays; determine, by the processor, abeginning time for the flat rate play session; determine an end time forthe flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of a predeterminedcondition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rate play session,such that the duration is a first duration if the predeterminedcondition is satisfied at around a first time and the duration is asecond duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around asecond time; and stop the flat rate play session upon determining theend time.
 18. A system, comprising: a controller operable to communicatewith a plurality of gaming devices, the controller being furtheroperable to: receive an indication of receipt, at a gaming device of theplurality of gaming devices, a payment for a single play; determine aninitiation at the gaming device, in response to the payment, of thesingle play; initiate, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session,wherein the flat rate play session is a period of play of the gamingdevice during which a player need not make funds available for any play,the period encompassing a plurality of plays; determine a beginning timefor the flat rate play session; determine an end time for the flat rateplay session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, therebydetermining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that theduration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfiedat around a first time and the duration is a second duration if thepredetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; and stopthe flat rate play session upon determining the end time; the systemfurther comprising the plurality of gaming devices.
 19. A medium storinginstructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a methodof operating a gaming device, said method comprising: receiving, at agaming device, a payment for a single play; initiating, in response tothe payment, the single play; initiating, at the gaming device, a flatrate play session, wherein the flat rate play session is a period ofplay of the gaming device during which a player need not make fundsavailable for any play, the period encompassing a plurality of plays;determining a beginning time for the flat rate play session; determiningan end time for the flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of apredetermined condition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rateplay session, such that the duration is a first duration if thepredetermined condition is satisfied at around a first time and theduration is a second duration if the predetermined condition issatisfied at around a second time; and stopping the flat rate playsession upon determining the end time.
 20. A method of operating agaming device, the method comprising: initiating, at a gaming devicethat otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device,a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises aperiod of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by aplayer without the player having to make funds available between plays,and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variableduration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is notdeterminable at initiation of the flat rate play session; tracking, viaa processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rateplay session; determining, based on the plays, that the flat rate playsession is to be terminated; and terminating the flat rate play session.21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: determining the time atwhich the flat rate play session is terminated based on the plays,thereby determining the duration of the flat rate play session upontermination of the flat rate play session.
 22. The method of claim 20,wherein determining that the flat rate play session is to be terminatedcomprises: determining that a maximum number of plays has been initiatedon the gaming device.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein determiningthat the flat rate play session is to be terminated comprises:determining that a characteristic of at least one outcome of at leastone play satisfies a predetermined condition.
 24. The method of claim20, wherein initiating the flat rate play session comprises: receiving,from a player of the gaming device, a selection of the flat rate playsession; and initiating the flat rate play session in response to theselection.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the selection comprises aselection of an option from a menu of options output to the player viathe gaming device.
 26. A device, comprising: a processor; and a storagedevice in communication with said processor and storing instructionsadapted to be executed by said processor to: initiate, at a gamingdevice that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gamingdevice, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play sessioncomprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may beinitiated by a player without the player having to make funds availablebetween plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of avariable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play sessionis not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session; track,by the processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flatrate play session; determine, based on the plays, that the flat rateplay session is to be terminated; and terminate the flat rate playsession.
 27. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by aprocessor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said methodcomprising: initiating, at a gaming device that otherwise requirespre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate playsession, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of timeduring which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player withoutthe player having to make funds available between plays, and furtherwherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such thatan end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable atinitiation of the flat rate play session; tracking, via a processor,plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;determining, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is tobe terminated; and terminating the flat rate play session.
 28. A system,comprising: a controller operable to communicate with a plurality ofgaming devices, the controller being further operable to: initiate, at agaming device of the plurality of gaming devices that otherwise requirespre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate playsession, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of timeduring which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player withoutthe player having to make finds available between plays, and furtherwherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such thatan end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable atinitiation of the flat rate play session; track plays initiated on thegaming device during the flat rate play session; determine, based on theplays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; andterminate the flat rate play session; the system further comprising theplurality of gaming devices.